We
have a saying here at Taraluna that we very much believe in -
changing the world one purchase at a time. We believe
that you can change the world one purchase at a time by shopping
wisely, buying fair trade, sweatshop free, American made, organic
and natural.

Taraluna
is a small, woman owned/family run business and although we cannot
compete with mega-corporations, we can offer unique products that
our customers will feel good about purchasing and giving as gifts.
When you choose to buy from us, or other green and ethical businesses
you are saying NO to sweatshop labor, cutting corners, corporate
handouts and pollution. By choosing ethical businesses to buy
from you are saying YES to fair wages in the local context, yes
to sustainable farming, yes to sustainable business practices,
yes to social enterprise, yes to organic, green, natural and good.
Yes.

Sincerely,

Penny
Schafer
Owner
Taraluna - Fair Trade, Organic & Green Gifts

Our
Name:

Taraluna
is a fusion of Tara (pronounced Tah' rah) and Luna. Tara is the
Goddess of peace and protection, the Mother Creator and represents
the eternal life force which fuels all life. Tara translates to
"Star" and in virtually every culture a version of the Goddess
Tara exists, the Latin word for earth; "Terra" indicates the connection
between the Goddess Tara and Mother Earth. To some indigenous
peoples of the Americas Tara was Star Woman and fell from the
heavens, her body became the earth which provided sustenance to
the People. Perhaps the most beautiful story of Tara comes from
Tibet where it is believed that the Goddess Tara is the feminine
counterpart of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha who is reincarnated
as the Dalai Lama. According to legend Avalokitesvara shed a tear
of compassion when he beheld the extent of suffering in the world.
A single tear fell to the ground and formed a lake and out of
its waters appeared a lotus. The goddess rose from the lotus blossom
as peaceful and compassionate protector of all humans as they
cross the sea of life.

Because
Tara was born from the tear of another she represents compassion,
but she also embodies wisdom, capability, creativity, prosperity,
long life, peace and overcoming obstacles. Tara is an archetype
of our inner wisdom and has many gifts to offer contemporary women.
She protects and guides us as we embark on our own journeys to
personal freedom, she reminds us to remain centered and of the
importance of nurturing the spirit within. It is said that Tara
is like a star that perpetually consumes its own energy, representing
the never-ending desires that fuel all life. Luna, the moon goddess
is also known as "The Radiance" because of her radiance which
shines from the heavens and embraces the earth with its golden
glow.

The
name Taraluna represents our belief that we are connected to all
living things. We believe as a business it is our responsibility
to offer high quality products that are good for the earth, its
people and all living creatures. "Taraluna" represents our being
grounded in the earth and our ability to dream big - to look toward
the stars and create a better world. Please read our overview
and mission statement for further
information about our company and beliefs.

Today,
more than ever people are looking for ways to make better choices
in all areas of their lives. We have seen how making the wrong
choices can affect our health, the planet and its people. There
is a new term for people who value personal health and development
and lead lifestyles of health and sustainability - "Cultural Creative."
The cultural creatives are looking for ways to be more informed
and to make decisions based on their values. One-third of the
American population fits into this category and has tremendous
power as consumers to affect change in business and society.

The cultural creative believes that the values of health and sustainability
should guide the market. New and innovative businesses like Taraluna
are looking beyond the "bottom line" and concentrating on a holistic
approach that includes economy, environment and society. The influence
of the conscious consumer inspires others to seek higher standards;
the growth of this segment of society can help to transform the
world. Products are purchased not only for quality but based on
values such as human rights, conservation, economic welfare, disaster
relief, animal welfare and peace.

Here at Taraluna we choose to provide information and products
that support health, sustainability and equity. We want to support
new and better choices by providing only products that are fairly
traded, organic or otherwise
green. We feel that when given a choice
of products, people will choose natural, healthy products that
are made in safe working conditions by people earning a fair wage.
We believe that when enough people demand products based on these
values, corporations and government will have to start paying
attention to environmental and human needs.

Taraluna
offers alternative choices in products based on our values of
fair compensation to artisans, promotion of healthy and safe working
environments, social and environmental responsibility and safe,
non-toxic products. We offer high quality, handcrafted products
from nonprofits, cooperatives and NGO's that are approved by and
members of the Fair Trade Federation, the Organic Trade Association,
Demeter and The Fair Trade Resource Network. We carry products
sourced in nature, organically grown or recycled wherever possible.
We also believe in the principle of "Think Globally, Act
Locally," and although most of our products are globally
sourced, we offer products made in the USA and more importantly
- we support artisans at the local level (city, county, state).

Our
mission is to:

Offer
a fun shopping experience, proving once and for all that being
a conscious consumer doesn't have to be dull or boring.

Provide
safe, non-toxic, no recall toys and products that are safe for
our customers, the planet and the workers who make them.

Bring fairly traded artisan products to the international marketplace,
providing choice and access to our customers.

Help the artisans that create these exquisite products and their
communities by:

- Using only fair trade companies that are members of the Fair
Trade Federation.
- Paying a fair wage in the local context.
- Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local
context.
- Building long-term trade relationships.
- Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices.
- Providing equal employment opportunities for all people.
- Demanding ethical labor practices.
- Provide a market for products made in a traditional manner
by artisans, preserving culture while advancing economic development.

Green
1. A supporter of a social and political movement that espouses
global environmental protection, bioregionalism, social responsibility,
and nonviolence.
2. Beneficial to the environment: green recycling policies.
3. Favoring or supporting environmentalism: green legislators
who strengthened pollution controls.

Organic
1. Using or produced with fertilizers of animal or vegetable matter,
using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
2. Simple, healthful, and close to nature: an organic lifestyle.
3. Free from chemical injections or additives, such as antibiotics
or hormones.

Because
Taraluna offers only products that are earth friendly or fair
trade you are supporting sustainable practices and socially responsible
consumerism. We realize that a shopping experience won't change
the world, but we know that every time we support a fair trade
or eco-friendly business we contribute to the betterment of the
world, one purchase at a time. When enough people choose to be
conscious consumers, they combine their buying power to change
the way business is done. We believe in "living consciously, buying
wisely, and making a difference." If you have found your way to
our little online boutique, you are probably already well educated
about sweat shops, child labor and unsound environmental practices.
Even so, we will offer information and education regarding these
issues and hope that you will decide to
Sign up for our newsletter.

We
realize how busy people are these days and how is difficult it
is to research each purchase we make, so Taraluna has made the
promise to do the research for you. We are committed to offering
products that are fairly traded, organic,
natural or otherwise green.
If a product is marked "fair trade" it comes from a co-op, NGO,
non-profit or company that has met the rigorous standards of the
Fair Trade Federation. Products that are labeled organic use no
chemical pesticides or other harmful chemicals in their production.
We also offer products made with natural ingredients. We choose
to offer healthy alternatives and many of our goods meet the combined
standards of fair trade, organic, natural, hand made and are altogether
earth friendly and socially responsible.

How
do we change the world? One step at a time, one bottle recycled,
one orange peel composted, one load of laundry hung out to dry,
one errand run on a bike, one pet spayed or neutered - or, one
small purchase at a time!

Welcome
to Taraluna, we appreciate your contribution to socially and environmentally
sound consumerism. We hope you enjoy your shopping experience.